Villa College has opened a business incubation centre called VIgnite and renamed its Faculty of Business Management as Qasim Ibrahim School of Business.

The event commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran. Minister of Economic Development and Trade Hon. Mohamed Saeed was the chief guest and presided over the function held at Villa College today. The function was attended by leaders of various state and business agencies.

Speaking at the launch of the event, Qasim Ibrahim Business School Dean, Abdulla Nafiz said that this is not just a change in the name, but an important change with an optimistic outlook, stating that the aim was to make the school a world-class business school.

Minister Mohamed Saeed rebranded the faculty in a video presentation dedicated to the purpose after Dean Nafiz’ speech.

The Director of the Centre and Deputy Dean of Qasim Ibrahim School of Business Dr. Damith Gangodawilage spoke about the newly established centre for innovation and enterprise development.

"We would like to thank our partners for their support and encouragement in bringing this incubator and co-working space into existence within a month. This is the reason why this has been successful. It will be a remarkable and historic beginning for the country".

The centre's partner includes:

1. Business Center Corporation.


2. Swearing


3. Maldives Relations Plc (Dhiraagu)


4. Spark Hub


5. Women in Tech


6. Soneva model


7. Oxyca Pvt. Ltd.


8. Asia Pacific Institute of Money and Entrepreneurship Development


9. Square Hub


10. Fenaka Corporation Limited


11. Kandufa Foundation


12. Villa Shipping and Trading Company

Minister Mohamed Saeed also inaugurated the Business Incubation Centre, VIgnite. The event was also attended by seven students of Villa College various programmes presenting seven different elevator pitch ideas.
Minister, Hon. Mohamed Saeed spoke on the occasion and emphasised the need for incubation centres in the country. He highlighted how such centres would benefit the country's economy and encouraged the students to utilize the centre.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice Rector Dr. Ali Najeeb, highlighted how the business faculty of Villa College has expanded their business programmes. He noted that the Hon. Qasim Ibrahim’s name was chosen in rebranding the faculty as Qasim Ibrahim Business School due to his significant contributions to business and economic excellence in the Maldives. Dr. Ali Najeeb also spoke about the business school and incubation centre's vision and thanked the industry and professionals for their support in the creation of the incubation centre.